Why you should ski in Gstaad this winter

A slice of luxury lovers’ paradise nestled between mountain tops, Gstaad brings together Swiss savoir-faire with an exuberant way of life enjoyed by an international crowd. In the heart of the chalet-lined village, visitors savour Alpine pleasures like endless ski zones, landscapes of a rare beauty and hotels that make an art out of après-ski. Take a look at ten ways you can (re)discover Gstaad.

Put your feet up at The Alpina Gstaad

A cocoon of luxury perched on the mountain’s peak, The Alpina is unlike any other Gstaad hotel. Access is via a James Bond-worthy underground path through the mountains, into a space that updates the traditional mountain palace hotel with pristine modernity. The interiors exude a perfect balance between refined elegance and comfort, scattered with contemporary art pieces, including Richard Hambleton installations, Tracey Emin neons and Neil Raitt paintings. It also houses a large Six Senses spa and its exquisite Japanese restaurant, Megu. A slice of paradise for lovers of Japanese cuisine, the kitchen is led by Chef Takumi Murase, who creates mouth-watering dishes like cognac-flambéed Wagyu beef à la plancha, bull tartare in ponzu sauce, freshwater shrimp with Osetra caviar, scallops fried with miso truffles, and freshwater eel sashimi. You can’t go wrong.

Vertigo sufferers be wary: Glacier 3000, one of Gstaad’s best ski areas, takes in the summits of the highest Alpine mountain chains (Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Bernese Alps). Before heading out onto the miles and miles of pistes, make a pitstop at the observatory designed by Mario Botta, a dizzyingly high vantage point that hangs from the mountain top. Keen off-piste skiers come here to make the most of the powder; you can even take a dog-sled ride around the area.

Le Refuge l’espace is one of the best lunch spots on the mountain both for its breath-taking views and snug interiors. Low-key and discrete, this little bistro offers regional cuisine at altitude, including barley soup, hot tommette cheese served with potatoes, and a fine selection of homemade desserts (cherry compote, creamy meringue, and tarte tatin to name just a few).

Part of the closed circle of Gstaad’s best hotels, the Ermitage owes its reputation in part to its spa. The opulent space houses a heated saltwater pool out in the snow, an outdoor swimming pool, a Finnish sauna, and a lounge area with mountain views that invite reflection and relaxation. Not to mention myriad host of experts who can deliver excellent massages tailored to each client’s needs and wishes.

A newcomer to the Swiss hotel scene, the Ultima opened in December 2016. And the ultra-luxurious La Prairie spa is set in a totally different atmosphere. Gstaad’s glamorous crowd come here for the super rejuvenating facials, highly relaxing massages and even cryotherapy in the Aesthetics clinic. Where to relax body and mind after a long day exploring the slopes.

Dinner at Mattestübli Beizli is an experience in itself. Slightly removed from a little village near Lake Lauenen, visitors can only get to the restaurant by horse-drawn carriage. From there, follow a long, mountain-bordered promenade which leads to this unusual restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Inside the Brand family’s chalet home, the space only holds a handful of tables and only serves fondue, carefully cooked up by the owner. Not to be missed.

Hinterseestrasse 106, 3782 Lauenen, Tel. +41 33 765 33 37

Take a walk in snowshoes

A delightful alternative to other snow sports, snowshoeing allows you to see a different side to Gstaad. Taking hikers through the fairy-tale Swiss landscapes, they are a great way to immerse yourself in nature, surrounded by mountains, traditional chalets and pine forests. A must-do.

Pieces by the likes of Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and even Robert Indiana populate the space owned by Patricia Low, an expert contemporary art dealer who opened the gallery in 2005. The best place to find art masterpieces amongst the mountain peaks.

Immortalized on film hundreds of times, Gstaad Palaceremains one of the most iconic destinations in the Swiss town. An opulent hotel reminiscent of a plush French château, it is also home to one of the area’s most popular clubs, GreenGo. Charged with an energy straight from the 1970s, it features in Peter Seller’s Pink Panther, where night owls sip on cocktails and dance under the orange glow of the jelly-fish lamps.

Inside the February issue

After shooting her first ever cover for Vogue Paris in April 2016 with her mother, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber is now flying solo for the Vogue Paris February issue. Shot by David Sims, the young model embodies her mother’s magnetic energy in our fashion special.